The prediction of water activity in aqueous solutions in connection with intermediate moisture foods I. aw Prediction in single aqueous electrolyte solutions

Abstract

SummaryA system of theoretical equations for the osmotic coefficient in aqueous electrolyte solutions, developed by Pitzer (1973), has been used for predicting the water activity (aw) in aqueous solutions of thirty different ‘food additive‐like’ strong electrolytes. Water activity versus solute concentration curves have been plotted for the range of aw of most interest for intermediate moisture foods (IMF). The Raoult's law behaviour of several of the above electrolytes has also been examined. The results are discussed in connection with the formulation of IMF.